'Idol' Nigel Lythgoe: 'Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey feud not for ratings'

American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe has denied that Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj's feud is a publicity stunt.

Leaked video footage earlier this month showed Minaj screaming at Carey at an American Idol audition in Charlotte, North Carolina.



Carey has since suggested that Minaj threatened to "shoot" her during the dispute, a claim which the 'Starships' singer vehemently denied.

Producer Lythgoe has now responded to rumours that the entire altercation was staged to attract media attention for American Idol's auditions.

"I have no idea why I would be doing it [for ratings] five months before the show went out," Lythgoe told TMZ.

He continued: "I would only do anything for ratings a month before the show went out. They've got my timing wrong."



US President Barack Obama spoke about the controversy this week, urging both Carey and Minaj to work through their problems.

"I am all about bringing people together, working for the same cause. I think both outstanding artists are going to be able to make sure that they're moving forward and not going backward," Obama said.

American Idol airs on Fox in January.

Watch the American Idol argument below: